Nectarine tree named &#39;August Chief&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica  var.  nucipersica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
     1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.   2. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   3. Fruit having a high degree of attractive red skin color.   4. Fruit with very good mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor.   5. Firm, yellow flesh fruit with good shipping quality.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Prunus persica var. nucipersica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘August Chief’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of nectarine tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of nectarine trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Honey Kist’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,333), ‘Honey Diva’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,291) and the proprietary non-patented nectarine seedling selections ‘25LD605’, ‘41GF131’ and ‘63EC416’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) was originated by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as a first generation cross between our proprietary non-patented nectarine seedling selections with the field identification numbers ‘25LD605’ and ‘41GF131’. The proprietary non-patented nectarine seed parent ‘25LD605’ originated as an open pollinated seedling selection from ‘Honey Kist’ Nectarine (U.S Plant Pat. No. 9,333). The proprietary non-patented nectarine pollen parent ‘41GF131’ originated as an open pollinated seedling selection from our proprietary non-patented nectarine seedling ‘63EC416’. We planted and maintained a large number of these first generation seedlings on their own root system. Under close and careful evaluation we recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present variety and selected it in 2000 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2000 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of large size, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit. The fruit is further characterized by having a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with very good eating quality. In comparison to its seed parent ‘25LD605’ nectarine (non-patented) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 52 days later in maturity. In comparison to its non-patented nectarine pollen parent ‘41GF131’ the fruit of the new variety is approximately 5 weeks earlier in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Honey Diva’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,291) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 6 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new nectarine variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 14 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 14 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and             width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with             different cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the             first growing season. Varies with soil type, fertility of             soil and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size. Fruit set varies with             climatic conditions during bloom time.         -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 12 consecutive years. No             alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to allow             more sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color and             health of fruit wood.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 850 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 53.3 cm at 25.4 cm above             ground on a 14 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 5/2 to 10YR 3/4. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 19.8 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 14 in a 25.8 square cm section.             Average length 5.5 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color varies             from 7.5YR 5/10 to 10YR 6/12.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 10YR 4/8. Mature             growth varies from 7.5YR 3/6 to 7.5YR 2/4, varies with age             of growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 163.7 mm. Average width 45.3 mm.         -   Form.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib             and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 11.2 mm. Average width 1.9 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies             from 5GY 5/8 to 5GY 4/6.         -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — large. Average length             1.4 mm. Average diameter 1.1 mm. Number varies from 2 to 6,             average number 3. Located primarily on the base of leaf             blade and upper portion of the petiole. Color varies from             5GY 5/8 to 5GY 4/8.         -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 14.4 mm. Edges —             pectinate. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 5/8.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/8 to 7.5GY 3/6. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 4/6 to 5GY 3/6. Midvein color varies             from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 7/8. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 16.7 mm. Average diameter 9.4             mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 2.9 mm. Average width 1.5 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8. Surface glabrous.         -   Density.—Light to medium.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 7/10 to 7.5RP 7/8. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 16, 2014. Date of             Petal Fall Feb. 26, 2014, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 20.0 1.6 mm. Average             diameter 35.6 mm.         -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —             large. Average length 20.1 mm. Average width 15.9 mm. Form —             elliptical. Petal apex — rounded. Petal base — acuminate.             Arrangement — overlapping. Margin — sinuate. Color varies             from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 6/8, fades with age of flower.         -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —             medium to large. Average length 5.6 mm. Average width             5.1 mm. Shape — ovate, apex rounded. Margin — entire.             Surface — upper surface glabrous, lower surface pubescent.             Color — upper surface varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/6.             Lower surface varies from 5R 3/4 to 5R 2/6.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 45. Average filament             length 14.5 mm. On average, the stamens are even with the             height of the petals. Filament color varies from N 9.5/             (white) to 5RP 4/6. Anther color varies from 7.5Y 8.5/6 to             7.5R 3/8.         -   Pollen.—Self-fertile. Color varies from 5Y 8.5/10 to 5Y             8.5/12.         -   Pistil.—Number — normally 1. Average length 16.6 mm.             Position of stigma an average of 1.4 mm below anthers.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 10Y 7/8 to 10Y 7/10.         -   Fragrance.—Slight aroma.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 8/6.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.7 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8. Surface glabrous.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for             consumption.         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 7, 2014.         -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 17, 2014, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 73.7 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 79.8 mm. Average weight 267.0             grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of             thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Slightly lipped.         -   Ventral surface.—Smooth to slightly lipped.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 6.3 mm. Average diameter 12.2 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 9.4 mm. Average             diameter 4.0 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5Y 6/10 to 10Y 6/6. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty, crisp.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial nectarine             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good, with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Acidity.—Not available.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 16.0°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8.5/12 to 5Y 8/10.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 38.3 mm. Average width 30.3 mm.             Average depth 13.4 mm. Color varies from 2.5Y 8/10 to 7.5R             3/10. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—Wanting.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.             Overspread with 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/8.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Undetected. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, strong adherence to flesh.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 37.3 mm. Average width 29.3 mm.             Average thickness 24.7 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.7 mm.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, narrow ridges extending from base             toward apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 3/4 to 10R 2/6 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 17.9 mm. Average width 12.5 mm.             Average depth 6.6 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5GY 9/6 to 5Y 8/8. -   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.     for 2 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss     of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, minimal, skin scarring or bruising of flesh     during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif,, no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical     resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural     practices. The present new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers,     foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to     climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the     variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety     grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,     Calif. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) substantially as illustrated and described. 